Long-Range Engagement Weapon

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The Long-Range Engagement Weapon (LREW) is a US Air Force concept for a next-generation beyond visual range air-to-air missile. Concept images shows a large, two-stage missile launched from an internal weapons bay of an F-22 Raptor. There have been some reports that the LREW is too big to fit in the F-22 or F-35 internal weapons bay and is suited for the F-15EX Eagle II or B-21 Raider. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is currently being developed by Raytheon. This program is separate from Raytheon's own AIM-174 very long-range air-to-air missile as well as from the AIM-260 JATM, developed by Lockheed Martin. [5]

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References

  1. "F-15EX to Carry New Oversized Air-To-Air Missile - Todayuknews". 17 May 2021.
  2. Rogoway, Tyler (2 November 2017). "The Pentagon Is Quietly Developing A Next Generation Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile".
  3. Pike, John. "LREW (long-range engagement weapon)". www.globalsecurity.org.
  4. "New long-range missile project emerges in US budget". 2 November 2017.
  5. "Meet The AIM-260, The Air Force And Navy's Future Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile". The War Zone. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.